Banking on its past, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday promised what other major players have already promised, but with an assurance to deliver.
Releasing its manifesto for the February 4 election, the Akali Dal made an attempt to win over its huge vote bank of State’s farming community that has been reeling under crisis by promising Rs100 bonus over and above the minimum support price (MSP), besides a loan waiver as already promised by the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Alike its ally — the BJP, and the Congress, SAD too promised to continue with its ambitious Atta-Dal scheme with the inclusion of two more items — sugar and ghee — at low rates to all the blue-card holders in the State.
SAD, similar to AAP and Congress’ promises, has announced to enhance pension up to Rs2,000, creating 25 lakh jobs, houses for all, among other things. One thing that make SAD to stand apart among all in his long list of promises it had made in previous elections, and delivering the same — something the party has prominently placed in its manifesto under the slogan, “jo keha, so kar vakhaya” (we did, what we said) covering 18 pages of 54-page manifesto.
“We have delivered what we have promised earlier be it making the Punjab power surplus, introducing unique welfare schemes like aata-daal and Shagun, to providing 100 per cent water and sewerage facilities in 165 towns across the State,” said SAD president Sukhbir Badal, who released the manifesto in ludhiana on Tuesday.
He added, “Now we will do the same in all 12,000 villages besides making cemented streets and putting up solar lights. We are similarly committed to delivering on the promises made today.”
Right from the promise of free power to the farmers the party made ahead 1997 elections, to 100 per cent sewer and water supply to all cities along with farm indebtedness relief bill promised in 2012, SAD listed detailed account of its accomplishments in the manifesto.
Once again counting on the farming sector, SAD manifesto for Punjab elections and promised Rs100 as fertilizer input incentive support over and above the MSP to all farmers, Rs2 lakh interest-free annual farm loan for purchase of agriculture inputs to those farmers who had less than five acres land, waiving off farms debts of small farmers, tubewell connections for every farmer, 10-hour daytime free power supply to farmers, among others.
It also promised to extend the pension and Shagun scheme to marginal famers, besides the poor in general category, along with the implementation of Swaminathan committee’s recommendations.
“If voted to power, SAD will pursue a multi-pronged initiative to help farmers under debt in collaboration with the Centre and the banks,” he said adding that lok Adalatas for settlement of farmer debt cases would be set up in every district.
SAD’s poll document also promised 25 lakh jobs for the youth of Punjab which will be provided through Government jobs and projects like Mohali IT hub, new Chandigarh medical tourism hub, Bathinda textile hub, ludhiana hosiery hub, Amritsar tourism hub.
It also announced to impart skill to 10 lakh youth in 25,000 skill centres with one skill centre catering to five villages. Those doing the skill courses will be eligible for Rs10 lakh interest free loan.
The alliance Government will also facilitate 50,000 youth to acquire taxis without down payment and soft loans.
Under atta-dal scheme, SAD promised to give five kg sugar at the rate of Rs10 per kg and two kg ghee for Rs25 per kg. All blue-card holders would also get free gas connections. Besides, a one-stop shop which will dispense ‘aata daal’. Sewa kendra will be opened in the villages.
For the blue-card holders other than the small farmers, petty traders and construction workers, SAD announced to increase medical treatment to Rs1 lakh per annum. Stating that controlling crime and continuing its fight against drugs was a top priority for the SAD-BJP alliance, SAD announced that CCTV cameras would be installed on all entry and exit points of villages and cities to check crime.
Declaring “war on drugs”, the party promised to upgrade rehabilitation centres and initiating a new policy of incentivisation to encourage addicts to leave drugs. Notably, the ruling Akalis have been under mounting attack from Opposition parties, including the Congress and the AAP over failure to check the drug menace in Punjab.
“A special border area force will be constituted to form a second line of Defence and check infiltration,” said Sukhbir.
To ameliorating the lot of the weaker sections, SAD promised to make all kutcha houses into pucca and the houseless will be given jobs.
The manifesto promised that economically backward among general category citizens will also be eligible for all social welfare schemes meant for SC/BC categories. The party has also increased all welfare pensions from the present Rs500 per month to Rs2,000 per month, while raising the Shagun amount from Rs15,000 to Rs51,000.
Promising 33 reservation in Government jobs, the party announced to give sewing machines to matriculate women, enhancing girl child assistance from Rs61,000 to Rs1.25 lakh, among others.
Outlining its “vision” for the industry, the party promised to make Malwa region a textile hub and an industrial park will be created over 2,500 acres in Rajpura, besides setting up trade fair centres will come up in Mohali, ludhiana and Amritsar.
“Similarly world class IT hubs will be created in Mohali and Amritsar. A manufacturing hub will be created in ludhiana by way of the Cycle Valley. A pharmaceutical hub will be created in Rajpura and medicity at Mullanpur,” said Sukhbir.
Also assuring a turnover of Rs22 crore per annum, SAD announced that all the traders would no longer have to maintain books and can do self-certification and pay lumpsum tax. Currently, this facility is available for traders with a turnover of Rs1 crore.
With a main focus on the holy city of Amritsar, SAD announced that in the next five years, the entire walled city would be given a world class heritage look.
In addition, the party repeated its previous promises of saving river waters and not allowing construction of the SYl canal, transfer of Chandigarh and other Hindi speaking areas, working towards assuring punishment to victims of 1984 riots besides rehabilitating them, more power to the state, and maintaining peace and communal harmony.